Homestead Living: September 2025

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What’s Inside?

From Anna Sakawsky, Editor-in-Chief:

“I often hear from people who believe you need a lot of money to homestead, or that you have to invest in the latest and best of everything just to get started. Modern culture and marketing has conditioned us to believe that in order to do just about anything these days, we need access to the best tools, the biggest budget, and the newest, most advanced setup. But if we look back to the people who built this way of life before us, we’ll find a different story; one rooted in simplicity, resourcefulness, and necessity.”

From raising wool sheep and making your own clothes to kimchi, the September 2025 issue will inspire you to build the homestead you’ve always dreamed of.

Here are the articles waiting for you inside this issue:

Plant Propagation by Bevin Cohen

Bevin Cohen shares four simple, cost-free methods … root division, stem cuttings, layering, and seed saving … that make it easy to multiply your herb garden and keep it thriving year after year. With practical tips for autumn propagation and the joy of saving seeds, he shows how homesteaders can grow abundance, share with others, and stay connected to the rhythms of nature.

The Pros and Cons of Heritage Breeds by Joel Salatin

Joel Salatin cuts through the hype surrounding heritage and exotic livestock, weighing their charm and hardiness against the realities of cost, productivity, and market demand. With candid insights from decades of farming, he helps homesteaders make clear-eyed decisions about breed selection … whether their goal is self-sufficiency, profitability, or preserving tradition.

Raising Wool Sheep by Janet Garman

Janet Garman walks new shepherds through the wonderful essentials of raising fiber sheep, from choosing breeds with the right fleece to building healthy pastures, shelter, and daily care routines. With practical tips on wool types, flock selection, and shepherd-first management, she shows how thoughtful husbandry yields beautiful fiber, and joy in the process.

Hand Stitching Modern Clothing by Louisa Owen Sonstroem

Designer and teacher Louisa Owen Sonstroem invites readers to rediscover the slow, satisfying art of hand sewing in an age dominated by machines and fast fashion. With timeless techniques, practical tips, and the reminder that even everyday clothes can be stitched with strength and beauty, she shows how hand sewing can become both a creative outlet and a lifestyle of intention.

Stocking a Sustainable Pantry by Kris Bordessa

National Geographic author Kris Bordessa shares practical strategies for building a pantry that saves money, reduces waste, and strengthens food security by relying on homemade staples and preserved foods. From baking bread to canning produce and mixing up homemade granola, she shows how small, steady changes can transform your kitchen into a source of resilience and nourishment.

Cast Iron Cooking Secrets by Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris shares timeless tips for seasoning, cooking with, and caring for cast iron so it lasts for generations while delivering unbeatable flavor and safety. Blending homestead wisdom with practical kitchen know-how, she shows how this heirloom cookware transforms everyday meals into part of a living tradition.

The Kimchi Connection by Sophia Eng

Sophia Eng weaves together family memories, science, and cultural tradition to show how kimchi is more than food … it’s medicine for our gut, our communities, and our souls. From seasonal recipes to the communal ritual of Kimjang, she reveals how this ancient practice reconnects us to nature, healing, and each other in a world that desperately needs it.

Grow a Food Forest for (Almost) Free by David The Good

David The Good shows how anyone can transform a backyard into a self-sustaining food forest without spending a fortune … using seeds, cuttings, grafts, and creativity instead of nursery bills. Blending personal stories with practical guidance, he makes the case for ditching lawns and growing an edible Eden that can feed your family for decades.

*NOTE: Purchase of this single issue will NOT start a monthly subscription to Homestead Living. You can do that right here 😉